A day not spritzed is a day not lived. That sounds like something my Nan would say, and in a way it is as true as can be. Fragrances are just another way of expressing you identity, an open possibility to unleash that rebellious streak when working in a strict, bland corporate environment, or to boost your confidence for that first date. It’s is almost like lingerie, with it’s way of embracing you with it’s softness, lingering on your skin and if you want it to, only to be known and felt by yourself.

There is this common saying that you should only wear certain types of fragrances in certain seasons, that you should have a winter and a summer staple, etc etc, which, to be honest, might work for others, but I don’t care for at all. Just wear whatever you feel like wearing that day, whether it is Tom Ford on a sweltering summer’s night, or Acqua di Gioa in the nick of winter. I’ve been keeping track of the perfumes I’ve been spritzing these last few weeks, and I would not be a blogger if I didn’t share them with you, now would I? Noses at the ready?

Liu Jo Eau de Parfum: Launched this Spring, this fragrance was the perfect olefactory start to the summer season! It’s always a bit tricky when a clothing brand, no matter how refined and feminine the brand, ventures away from clothing and into beauty. Will they enhance their brand with a perfect translation of their aesthetics, or will it be a run of the mill, generic product that does not represent their identity? And once in a while, a brand will take you by surprise. The first fragrance from this Italian brand is not what you’d expect, shunning the expected Italian sensuality and overt femininity, whilst focusing on a tender, sophisticated approach. It’s delicately, fruity, Oriental-inspired scent, with top notes of lychee, raspberry and Italian mandarin, soft peach, lilies of the valley, Egyptian jasmine and ylang ylang give it a tender heart, whilst the base notes of vanilla, musk, sandelwood and patchouli give it that Oriental warmth without being too overpowering.

Repetto Eau de Toilette: The elegance of a Prima Ballerina, captured in a powdery, soft scent. It spins and twirls throughout the day like a silk ribbon, opening with notes of pear and cherry blossom. The sweetness makes place for rose and orange blossom, and the final act is reserved for vanilla and amber wood. A masterpiece for those days that I want my fragrance to be my little secret.

Pomellato Nudo Blue: One third of the fragrance trilogy inspired by Pomellato’s favourite gemstones, this scent is based on the London Blue Topaz. As crystalline blue as the Mediterranean Sea surrounding Capri, it is an airy, floral scent based around the Iris, though not as aquatic as you’d expect it to be. After an fruity fresh opening with lemon and blakcurrant, it gradually evolves into a floral hear of fresia, peonies and magnolia. A few hours later, this floral goodness fades into the pure velvet of white musk amberwood and vanilla. My preferred scent of this summer!

Pomellato Nudo Rose: Part two of the Pomellato Gemstone Fragrance Trilogy (third one is the Pomellato Nudo Amber) that represents the Rose de France Amethyst. Decidedly less floral than I expected it to be, it is soft and subtle, though differently than the Liu Jo. Pink Grapefruit and bergamot play the opening scene, before  peach, roses, lily of the valley and water fruits take over. White cedarwood, cashmere wood and sandalwood tone down the pink florals in the end.

Givenchy Dahlia Noir: Heavier than the other fragrances, this offering from the French couture brand is a yearlong favourite of mine. Heavy enough to stay with me throughout an entire day, but not too much that one can smell me coming, it is a truly feminin scent. Intriguing thanks to a wooden, amber base, it is the kind of pefume you’d expect Monica Belluci to personify!

Caudalie Parfum Divine: Caudalie finally expanded their Divine range with a divine perfume! A fragrance unlike any other, it perfectly matches the scent of the rest of the range. Described as a floral, woody musk fragrance with hints of grapefruit, Morroccan rose, pink pepper, vanilla, musk and cedar, it is warm, sensual and earthy at the same time. It is as if they were able to capture the feeling of the setting summer sun on your skin…

What are your favourite fragrances of the moment?